Tu-Na Quilts: Wish Upon A Star Blog Hop Starts Today

Welcome to Wish Upon a Star Blog Hop

The Big Plan

I knew I wouldn’t have much time to work on my chosen project as all my fabric for it was at my ND house and I’d arrive there less than a week before my turn to post for this hop (I winter in Arizona). With unpacking, resting, shopping for groceries, visiting family, and settling in, I knew that I wouldn’t have much to show.

While I could have chosen another star pattern or project, I knew I had something spectacular that needed to come out of hiding.I figured joining a hop is a good reason to begin a project. So my take on this hop is for me to begin a Double Star quilt for myself. This pattern can be found on the Blossom Heart blog here.

This is the block that now resides in Montana. It was very hard to mail this one away.

I made the block pictured above last year and sent it away to my hive mate in Montana (post can be found here). I liked it so much that I put it’s picture on my blog header, used it on my blog business cards, and set the fabrics aside for a rainy day.

When I was making that star block for my bee mate, I chose the coneflower fabric that I had ordered online. It was the right color to match the dots that I wanted to use.

I really like coneflowers but when that fabric arrived, I thought it looked rather ugly. That is until I cut the piece and inserted it into the center of the star. Wow! It looked fantastic.

Maybe that’s because it works well with the pattern, or maybe it’s because all the fabrics play nicely together, or maybe it’s because the coneflower fabric just needed to be cut into small pieces. It was then that I decided I must make a quilt of beautiful stars using that fabric.

I keep my projects in a plastic bin. This one was waiting for a rainy day to come out to play. That’s 5 yards of fabric minus one block’s worth to make a quilt.

When I read that Carol was taking registrations for this hop, I decided those fabrics had to come out to play even if all I had were a few minutes. I only have a yard of each fabric (with a block’s worth cut out already) so we’ll see how big of a quilt it can become. I’m hoping for at least a nice lap size. If it’s not big enough I’ve also got a couple yards of these pictured below that I can coordinate and add to it.

The pink one with the brownish background is really ugly. Hmmm. I wonder what it would look like cut into smaller pieces.

The Plan at Work

Sunday afternoon, I set to work cutting enough for 16 blocks. Putting the blocks in a 4 x 4 layout would make a 48″ square quilt. I’d like it a bit larger, if I have enough fabric.

First, I cut out the coneflowers. I’ll have plenty for this quilt and enough left over to expand it if there’s enough of the other fabrics.

I have 16 4.5″ squares cut and a lot of leftover fabric.

I learned lately that blue fabrics are one of the worse colors for dyes to run when washed. So I decided to soak and rub this dark navy in a tub of water before cutting. No dye reside showed even in hot water.

Both the white and navy blue have stars. This will be a star-studded quilt.

I carefully started cutting sixteen 5 1/4″ squares from the white fabric before cutting the smaller squares that were needed. And that’s as far as I got because Tu-Na Helper called and needed my help.

I’ll keep working on it this week. Stay tuned to watch my progress.

Thanks, Carol, for giving me the nudge to start my star quilt!

See More Stars

Here’s the line-up of all things twinkly and sparkly. Be sure to check them all out.

“Taking the time for making” is a better philosophy to get something accomplished.

A truly good friend is someone who will tell me if I have something in my teeth, or if my zipper is open, or if I have an embarrassing typo on my post. Thank you Kathleen of Kathleen McMusing for catching that typo!

Question: What project, meant for yourself, do you have tucked away for a “rainy day?” How will you take the time to make it? I plan to devote at least 15 minutes on this project each day, well, most days. I’ve got a brand new grandson who will be arriving any day so I might need to have a few days off to cuddle and snuggle him or his older brother.

Karen I love the pink and brown coneflowers. They look bright and beautiful to me. I also love your star block. Good choice for this Hop. I have lots of little projects started which will get finished some day. Sigh….I just have to stop starting new things.

Gorgeous star and I have a lot of “rainy day” projects. But I have been getting some finishes and I have been getting the quick and easy accomplished (projects partially done) completed. I like that fabric, but in a large block I could see where it may not be great but as a focal, fabulous.

Wow that fabric really pops when you cut it into smaller pieces, it’s going to be a wonderful quilt. I believe most quilters have rainy day projects. All the quilters I know have them . Looking forward to seeing your finish no matter when that may be.

I always love reading your “What I Learned Today” and the “Question” you pose! Your words are so imspiring and so is your quilting! I was wondering how you add your name to the pictures. Do you use an app or program and if so, which one? Also, what is the font you use. I really like it! Thank you for all you do!

That is the prettiest star block…no wonder you love it and used it on your cards, etc. It’s amazing how beautiful all your fabrics came together to make that star look amazing! It’s always good to have a friend tell you there is food in your teeth or there’s a typo. I have a few of those friends, too. It’s so exciting to have a new grandbaby and giving them snuggles is the best thing ever! Thank you for playing along on this blog hop and sharing your shining star. You are a star, sweet lady!

I love the block, Karen! Those ugly fabrics are often the ones that make the block, or quilt, shine. My rainy day project? I have a few, but my current one is a kit that I bought on impulse. It’s sitting on my quilt room dresser, waiting for me. Meanwhile, I keep starting other projects and QALs. Hmm. You’re right, rainy days never come!

I look forward to seeing your star studded quilt come together, Karen. The flower print is lovely, but it does look better cut and put in the block. I hope you can make enough blocks to make a nice lap size quilt easily.

Karen, coneflowers are a favorite of mine and your colors together are so complimentary! I love this block too! Yep, a nudge, a poke, a wink is all I need to get me started on a new project. I am trying to put some time daily into the next blog hop for flowers. Not sure if I’ll get it done with a week-long trip set before its due date. Oh, the pressure!

Really ugly, you say 🙂 When I looked at the fabrics in the bin – grey and navy, they seem rather dull to me but that star you made with them really shines. I am sure with a right of mix of fabrics that ugly fabric too will make a darling block.
No dearth of projects here. Looks like I will be busy till Thanksgiving.

Hi Karen,
I remember this block from last year, and I was sad that you had to send it away . . . all the way to Montana. I am so glad this tub of goodness is out and being worked on to replicate this pretty block. And I’m sure that ‘ugly’ fabric would shine in the right setting! Happy Monday! ~smile~ Roseanne

I’ve always loved that block, since you added it to the banner. The colors really are appealing, though I would never have bought those great flowers! See what I’m missing here? I know this is going to be a beautiful quilt.

I love the material…what a great star block….I always enjoy your…what I learned today! So exciting for a new grandson…I like the 15 minutes a day set aside for a project….as always, I enjoyed the post….

Very creative use of the Coneflower fabric…they will make into a Gorgeous quilt! I also have “Rainy Day” project…like your idea to whittle away at them..even if only 15 minutes a day (tho I will be working thru so many “Rainy Day” projects..they will come two by two & I will be floating in the Ark!! giggle…)

I LOVE your block! I want to make something using that double star! Your coneflower fabric is beautiful. We are currently in our rainy season here in central Florida – so I’ve been busy sewing new projects and finishing some of my UFO’s. How exciting to have a new grandchild!

Your right, the fabric by itself is not so pretty… but when placed with those fabrics, it just stands out and makes a gorgeous block. I’m not so sure I would have bought that fabric had I found it in the store, but I will say I would have regretted it after I saw your block today. Can’t wait to see the finished project.

I adore the star block that you have already made. I was shocked when I shaw the cut of fabric from which the coneflower center was cut. Oh, my! I thought, “What was Karen thinking?” Then I thought good choice. Then I saw the other two brights and knew those were ones that my mother would have chosen, too. It’s amazing how a snippet of a fabric paired with other fabrics can really have a new life. I think a combination of the blue, yellow and pink coneflowers would make a beautiful quilt. Congrats on the new grandson. I don’t think I’ll have any more grandchildren. I have four – two per each child, so we are very blessed. You’ll have a wonderful time with the new baby and his big brother. Thanks again for the inspiration.

Your block is lovely and I see exactly what you mean about the coneflowers looking better when cut into a smaller section for the center of your block. I just love when “ugly” or busy fabric pops out a surprise like that. I can’t wait to see your finished quilt.

Welcome to Tu-Na’s journey. My name is Karen. I am glad you stopped by.

Tu-Na (Too-Nuh) noun, 1. Title bestowed upon me by grandson. 2. Combination of Tutu and Nana. 3. Not having to do with a fish or fishing (unless it's cooked or quilted). Origin: See full explanation in Profile or About Me.

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